Entertainment venue and associated systems/methods

ABSTRACT

A venue includes a display screen, a performance stage, and an audience area. The display screen has (i) an inner periphery, (ii) an outer periphery, and (iii) at least one of a non-linear or a curved cross-sectional shape that is at least partially revolved around a center point. The performance stage (i) is positioned between the inner periphery and the outer periphery of the display screen and (ii) at least partially extends along at least one of the inner periphery or the outer periphery of the display screen. The audience area is positioned between the inner periphery and the outer periphery of the display screen.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/244,051, filed Aug. 23, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 14/586,102, filed Dec. 30, 2014, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/183,231, filed Feb. 18,2014, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/766,592, filed Feb. 19, 2013, all of which areincorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

SUMMARY

Described herein is an entertainment venue, currently called “Rockdome,”that provides for enhanced events including the capability to presentlive and/or pre-produced performances simultaneously or independently,musical and feature film productions, in an accompanying immersiveenvironment. In one embodiment described in detailed herein, theentertainment venue includes an Immersive Display Screen (or “IDS”)theater screen. Enclosed within the IDS, the venue includes a centrallylocated, outfacing audience area with standing room, seats raked uptoward the center of the audience area, a plateaued VIP bar and seatingarea in the center, and a mezzanine bar/lounge recessed under theseating about half way up to the VIP section, and beneath it. Aperformance stage encircles the outside of the audience area, and/or theperimeter of the immersive environment, enclosed within the IDS, locatedbetween the screen and the audience.

In another embodiment further described herein, an example methodinvolves presenting a live and/or pre-produced video on the IDS. Thismethod may involve providing a live performance on the performance stageinside the IDS. In this example method, the live performance may or maynot be associated with presented video images and/or any other type ofrunning video content beyond just images (still and moving).

In yet another embodiment, a “Compositing Screen” is an example of animmersive display screen, which includes a secondary back screen (behindthe above mentioned screen) that uses light emitting diodes (LEDs) oranother video producing technology (e.g., lasers, rear projection, frontprojection, and/or a yet to be defined light source) to display a rearproduced image. The back screen is toroidal in shape and may beequidistant from the front screen. The LEDs (or an alternativetechnology) point towards the inside of the toroid defining a secondlayer, or back screen. The display may also include a front screen thatis positioned on the inside of the back screen, and is transparent orseemingly transparent in nature (i.e. glass or plastic), or partiallytransparent (i.e., perforated material, semi-opaque front or rearprojection film adheased to ETFE or another plastic, or mesh, etc.). Thefront screen may be toroidal in shape, and contains a front image,projected from a laser projector, while light from the back screenshines through the front screen to provide a “composite” image effectfor the audience (i.e., the audience sees both layers of imagerysimultaneously).

The performance stage includes a ring-shaped performance platform. Theperformance stage includes a solid structure supporting the platform.Between the front part of the platform and the support structure, thestage includes a movement mechanism, (e.g., including rollers and timedautomation), which is designed to move the performance platform in acircular movement pattern across the supports. In an example embodiment,the rear of the platform remains fixed and includes stage lifts(elevators), support for robotic screens and accompanying tract, andother performance and exhibition equipment.

The foregoing is a summary and thus by necessity containssimplifications, generalizations and omissions of detail. Consequently,those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary isillustrative only and is not intended to be limiting. Other aspects,inventive features, and advantages of the various elements, devices,and/or processes described herein will become apparent in the detaileddescription set forth herein and taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a layout design of an exemplary venue with a one-screen 360°theater IDS embodiment.

FIG. 1B is a layout design of an exemplary venue with moveable seating.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example front-projection arrangement for a theaterarea.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example front-projection arrangement for a theaterarea.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example rear-projection arrangement for a theaterarea

FIG. 5 illustrates an example rear-projection arrangement for a theaterarea.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example “Compositing Screen” system.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example “Compositing Screen”) system.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example arrangement of the rotating, splitperformance stage, the standing room and audience seating areas aroundthe stage, screen and ellipsoid as seen from above.

FIG. 9 is an example arrangement of performers (as “stars”) andsecondary motion screens around the stage in the theater area of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring generally to the figures, an entertainment venue is describedherein along with systems and methods for use in implementations of thedescribed venue. In an exemplary embodiment, the venue may include aring shaped stage (mobile and/or stationary) for live performances, acontiguous IDS (or dual screens providing a “composite” image—the“Compositing Screen”) occupying substantially the entire visible surfacearea of the torus which encases the audience (Standing Room and seatingareas for GA and VIP guests), and separate display screens (or lasers,holograms, Pepper's Ghost, OLED or other high definition monitors, orother exhibition systems) for presenting video or graphics to anaudience. By combining live and displayed presentations, the venue mayprovide an immersive guest experience, among other advantages. Thecombination of live performance areas, open audience areas, andimmersive screens also provides a venue that can be suited to diverseforms of entertainment. The venue may be designed such that the stage(s)and screens are positioned around the outside of an audience area.Because the stage/screens may encircle the audience, this arrangementmay be considered an inversion of the “theater-in-the-round” design (inwhich the audience surrounds a stage). In an exemplary embodiment, theentirety of a front portion of the stage may be movable around theaudience, and/or the entirety or portions of the seated audience areamay be movable (rotated, vibrated, and/or moved on all three axes)within the area circumscribed by the stage. In this way, differentsections of the audience (or guests) may be provided with differentviews of the performers, from different angles at different times.Additionally, some screens or display surfaces may be moveable aroundthe audience. In some architectures, a toroidal screen may enclose theaudience area, providing an IDS. Many other features and advantages ofthe venue will be described in the following sections.

The following description is divided into three sections: (1) VenueArchitecture and Design, (2) Venue System Design and Implementation, and(3) Venue Use. The venue architecture section describes the physicaldesign and layout of an example venue and theaters within the venue. Thevenue system design section describes some of the systems, techniques,and visual devices that are used to facilitate the venue's functions.The venue use section describes a few of the novel ways that anexemplary venue may be used. Additional information and disclosureregarding the stage, audio, and display technology that may be used incombination with the embodiments disclosed herein may be found incopending U.S. application Ser. No. 14/183,208 (entitled “ImmersiveSound System”), U.S. application Ser. No. 14/183,077 (entitled “RotatingPerformance Stage”), and U.S. application Ser. No. 14/183,162 (entitled“Compositing Screen”), which are incorporated herein by reference.”.

Venue Architecture and Design

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of an entertainment venue 100. As shown,venue 100 includes a dome-shaped exterior 102 over a torus-shapedinterior structure 104 that encloses a theater area 106. Theater area106 includes various levels of audience standing 108A and seating 108B,a stage 110 with supporting structure 112, multiple secondary screens114A and 114B (such as robotic screens or other fixed or movableexhibition systems), and one circular, contiguous crow's nest 116 (whichmay be fixed or rotating/movable). Although two secondary screens areshown in FIG. 1, any other number of screens/exhibition systems may beused. In one embodiment, for example, as many as twenty-four roboticscreens may be used. Additionally, any number of crow's nest structuresmay be used. For example, crow's nest 116 may be implemented as twosegments of a single crow's nest structure, each reflecting 180° of theTorus, or half. In addition to theater area 106, FIG. 1 shows otherareas of venue 100, including, torus-center area 118, open dome area120, mezzanine and mezzanine bar area 122, and ground floor 124.Torus-center area 118, and/or the other open portions below enclosure102 (e.g., open area 120), may house various mechanical, audio/visual,utility, and other elements that support the functions of venue 100. Forexample, projectors, speakers, cabling, switching systems, plumbing,HVAC, safety equipment, ladders, catwalks, cameras, stage lighting,house lighting, Emergency Exit signs, rigging, and/or control stations,among other possibilities, may also be held in torus-center area 118.Mezzanine area 122 may house a bar/lounge, additional seating, dining,food and beverage sales, merchandise sales, Mezzanine area 122 andground floor 124 may house businesses, services and/or storage, Back OfHouse, video production, green rooms, etc., which may or may not beaccessible to guests of the venue.

Since the torus-shaped interior structure 104 and enclosed theater area106 are toroidal (or alternatively, ellipsoidal, spherical, or domed inshape), FIG. 1 shows theater area 106 (along with corresponding portionsof standing 108A, seating 108B, stage 110, and supports 112) in twosegments. In an example embodiment, the arrangement of the torus-shapedinterior structure 104, theater area 106, standing 108A, seating 108B,and stage 110 may continue around the circumference of the toroidalshape, with secondary screens placed at intervals around the stage(e.g., 12 or more different robotic screens). The robotic screens caneither be attached to the actual base of the stage or moved independentof the stage on their own track or tracks, which may be attached to theTorus structure itself or attached to the rear (upstage) portion of thestage. Telescoping robotic arms attached to these screens may move themup, down, and in different directions so as to form differentconfigurations of screen raids—i.e., 2×2, 3×2, etc. As will be describedin the following sections, various alternative embodiments may includefewer, additional, or different elements than the arrangement shown inFIG. 1.

Among other advantages, the venue design supports many different usesand combinations of events without requiring extensive preparations. Forexample, the same theater area may show a movie in the afternoon,present a live show in the evening, or a live concert performance, andthen transform into a nightclub after-hours, without the need forsignificant “change over” between events. As another example, the venuemay be used for a combination of events, such as a nightclub with astage or DJ show, a movie that is complimented with a live concert (orpre-recorded concert), and/or another live stage performance orperformances. The venue design, therefore, allows promoters and/orentertainment providers more flexibility to create new opportunities forcontent display and presentation, and provides a novel platform formixed medium presentations, combining a concert and a movie forinstance, or a DJ or band performance with art created in real time by avisual artist. Other uses for the venue may include conventions, motionsimulation rides, video game expositions, video game competitions, filmand television show productions, circus, dance, live simulcast ofsporting events (NASCAR, NFL), a large sports-book experience, corporateevents such as shareholder meetings, company retreats, product launches,fashion shows and much more. The venue also allows managementflexibility to change event schedules more quickly in response tochanging trends and new available content. Furthermore, theinverted-theatre-in-the-round seating arrangement, and the closeproximity of the audience to the stage (versus a conventionalstage/seating arrangement), creates a more intimate, engaging,one-on-one experience.

I. Exterior Enclosure

One embodiment of an external enclosure is a “dome” shaped shellenclosing the indoor toroidal enclosure and various theater features ofthe entertainment venue. FIG. 1 shows such an implementation, in whichthe exterior shell is in the shape of an ellipsoid. Other exampleembodiments could include spherical, hemispherical, rectangular, cubic,pyramid shaped, toroidal, conical, or other shape of exteriorenclosures. In some cases, the implementation of the shell exterior maybe supported separately from the display screen to handle various loads,such as wind loads that will not be a requirement for the internalenclosure. In other implementations, the display screen and exterior maybe supported by connected rigging to the interior structure, as afunction of load support or stationary support. Structural supports forthe exterior ellipsoid or internal torus, the display screen, rearscreens (if applicable), speakers, lighting, A/C, heat, ducting, riggingand more may include various internal framing components, framingsupport and/or external super-structural components.

In some embodiments, the external enclosure may include external displayfeatures. For example, a complete or partial projection surface, displayscreens, LEDs or other visual components may adhere or be attached toportions, or the entirety, of the external surface of the enclosure. Asanother example, display elements may be affixed onto or into theexterior surface of the enclosure or cast/projected upon by non-attachedprojection devices and/or lights. In one such implementation, LEDs maybe embedded inside, adhered onto, or attached on a majority of theexternal surface of the enclosure, allowing for large-scale displaysover the outside surface of the venue. As another example, visualcontent may be front (or rear) projected onto the exterior surface withno physical attachments whatsoever. As another example, the externalenclosure may be transparent or translucent in nature with LEDs embeddedinto (or behind) the actual enclosure surface in select areas orthroughout for large-scale displays within or behind a transparentsurface of the venue, and another embodiment may be the compositing oftwo images, one produced either by lining or backing a transparentexternal structure with projection film, or LEDs, and also projectingupon the back of the internal structure or torus, such that thatprojection may be seen from the outside through the externalstructure—thereby compositing two images (in the case of LEDs, theywould be mounted to a “transparent” panel, that allowed one to see whatwas behind it—in this case, imagery projected on the back of the torus).

The material of the enclosure may need to resist any and allenvironmental conditions both known (e.g., rain, snow, wildlife, heat,UV rays, etc.) and unforeseen (e.g. tornados, hurricanes, earthquakes).If the external enclosure or dome includes any type of display elements,such as LEDs, the final material may be selected for its optimal opticalqualities as well as protection from the elements. For example, atransparent exterior material such as glass, ETFE, plastic, or other maybe chosen, along with a UV coating, to protect the display elementswithout blocking the display or interfering with the transparent natureof the structure. In other embodiments, transparent material may be usedto cover larger portions of the enclosure or the enclosure in itsentirety, allowing inside features of the venue to be visible from theoutside. For example, large transparent sections of enclosure 102 mayallow passersby to see the exterior of the torus-shaped interiorstructure 104 (which we may also front project upon). If the toroidalstructure is transparent (i.e., front projection film backed ETFE) in aone-screen scenario, images or video on the torus-shaped interiorstructure 104, or 106, may provide entertainment to viewers both insideand outside of theater area 106 simultaneously. Additionally oralternatively, the torus-shaped interior structure 104 may be partiallytransparent as well, allowing outside spectators to view some of theentertainment provided within the venue, albeit partially or fullyobstructed depending on the vantage point of the spectators. Complete orpartial performances inside the theatre area 106 may also besimultaneously displayed on enclosure 102 or other external surfaces.

Although FIG. 1 shows enclosure 102 housing a single theater area 106,an example entertainment venue may include multiple theater areas (e.g.,multiple viewing areas with similar or different content, within thesingle theater). Each respective theater area, if separated, may includeits own display screens, performance stages, and/or other features tofacilitate all entertainment activities.

In addition to enclosing one or more theater areas, the building mayhouse complementary businesses and services, such as restaurants, bars,lounges, gift shops, ticket vendors, bathrooms, merchandise areas,elevators, ADA accessible areas, ramps, retail shops, etc. For example,the design shown in FIG. 1 includes mezzanine area 122 and ground floor124, which may house such businesses and services. The venue may alsoinclude outdoor features and areas for spectator viewing (viewing areas,platforms, podiums, etc.) such as, for example, for the aforementionedinternal and external displays. Among other advantages of this design,the self-contained, uniquely shaped structure may contribute to theimmersive guest experience by surrounding guests in an atmosphere ofentertainment.

Various embodiments of the exterior's visual exhibition system maybeLED's on transparent panels inside or behind glass or ETFE (or otherplastic) which are graded in pitch, so as to become spaced further apartas the cover higher areas of the exterior; front and/or rear projectionon glass or ETFE (or similar) backed with a semi opaque projection film;opaque versions of either; or a clear exterior which can be illuminatedby lighting. The semi-opaque and clear versions of the foregoing canafford the viewer on the outside the opportunity to see through them toview events and images on the interior. In certain cases (such as imagesbeing projected on the back of the torus), such a combination wouldcreate a composite image viewable from the outside (i.e., a frontprojected moving image on the torus composited with an image produced byLEDs on transparent panels mounted to the interior of the ellipsoid).(Or in an alternate method of compositing an image, an LED coveredinterior back of torus could be viewed through a clear (glass/ETFE),projection film backed external skin).

II. Audience Area

An audience area may be provided inside any of the theater areas. Asshown in FIG. 1, the audience area may include a standing room area(SRO) 108A and various seating areas 108B for audience members of bothGeneral Audience (GA) or (VIP) areas. The audience area may also includeopen spaces or non-obstructed spaces to be used interchangeably inaccordance with particular entertainment events. For example, open areasmay be used as dance floors, orchestra pits, security zones, theatricaldisplays, non-permanent seating additional stage areas (such as trusses,jets), additional lighting or sound rigs, pyrotechnic or lightingdisplays, smoke, smog, live actors or stage performers, among otherexamples. In some embodiments, the entire audience area may rotateeither in lieu of, or in combination with, the actual stage rotating. Inanother embodiment, select audience areas may contain motion seats.

In an exemplary embodiment, the audience seating 108B may face outwardfrom a central area of the theater. In some embodiments, each seat maybe oriented in a direction facing away from a central point. In otherembodiments, rows of seats may face substantially outward although eachindividual seat may not face directly outward. In still otherembodiments, seat direction may be changeable, movable orinterchangeable, or entire sections may be changeable, movable, orinterchangeable. For example, seats may be able to rotate, or have somedegree of motion (a third sensory element—movement).

Seats with changeable orientation may freely rotate, allowing theaudience to turn their own seats during an event, or the orientation ofthe seats may be changeable by technology or programming to facilitatedifferent events. For instance, to prepare for a show in which theaction takes place on a central active area of the stage at any givenmoment, seats may face or move to the active area of the stage, ormirror the actions of the content, live performance, movie, or other,rather than move in one specific direction. In some implementations, theentire platform, or partial sections of the platform, upon which theseats rest could move.

Although many example embodiments in the disclosure present a theaterarea in which a circular stage surrounds an outward-facing audience, atheater of the present invention can alternatively be configured to havethe audience face inward towards a circular center stage. The seating,comprised of concentric rings, can be made to face inward, and rake upfrom the center, by lowering the center rings on which the circular rowsof seating reside, and raising the outer rings. In the fashion, thevenue can be easily and quickly converted to accommodate either seatingconfiguration. These moving concentric rings (each of which is flat, andmay house one or more rows of seating) can also be rotated, and moved upand down in synchronization with the projected imagery to enhance theaudience experience with engagement of a third sense (motion), inaddition to sight and sound.

FIG. 1B shows an example venue arrangement including such movableseating areas. As shown in FIG. 1B, a venue 150 may include a theaterarea 152 including two stages 154 (outside stage) and 156 (insidestage). In other embodiments, a single stage may be used at one time.Also as shown in FIG. 1B, the audience-seating platform 158 (or multipleplatforms) may be mounted on movable supports 160. Such supports mayinclude lifting/lowering mechanisms to control the height of individualsections of the seating. In this way, the seating may change from rakingoutward to raking inward in order to present different types ofperformance/visual presentations.

The audience seating may include any or all of four main sections: i) aGA (general admission) in which the audience stands (this may encirclethe seated audience members and make them feel immersed in partyenvironment); ii) a seated section configured with inverted (i.e.,convex) banquette style seating (without armrests or separation betweenseats. These seats may face seatbacks of the row in front of them with arecessed bar/counter for drinks, food, etc., creating a loungeenvironment; iii) chaise style reclined couches and seating, surroundedon three sides with 3 foot high open and closable fabric walls, suchthat when reclined, the audience member(s) may have a degree of privacy;and iv) VIP booths at the top, each surrounded by 6 foot high glass withopen and closable fabric walls, each booth outfitted with chaises,couches, coffee tables, and other such furnishings. The VIP section mayhave a common bar area in the center (the center of the venue), and mayhave a common balcony surrounding and connecting all the VIP booths.Each aforementioned level of seating may be successively more private,spacious, luxuriously appointed, and expensive. All may have the abilityto access and order food and beverages. The overall effect of thecombined seating program may to meld the atmosphere of a club or loungewith the exhibition of a show and/or movie, creating a novel hybridevent.

In another embodiment, all seating may be removed and the entireaudience will stand, or VIP sections can have couches, etc. on a raisedmovable platform.

III. Performance Stage

One or more performance stages may be provided in each of the venue'stheater areas, as opposed to one continuous stage. As shown in FIG. 1, aperformance stage may include a rotating ring-shaped stage encirclingthe audience area 110. This stage may be split into multiple rotatingstages, as in multiple stages at the half or quarter marks of thevenue's radius. The stage 110 may also be split in itself, whereone-portion of the stage (e.g., front ⅔rds, front half, or back ⅓, etc.)may rotate, where the other portions may remain stationary, creatingdifferent visual effects, and providing for lifts, robotic screen tractsupport, etc. As another example, theaters which are not circularlysymmetric may include stages that fit to the particular geometry of theroom such as cubic or square shaped. In a theater area with more thanone performance stage, the multiple stages may include various types ofstages in addition to, or instead of, multiple instances of one type ofstage. In some embodiments, a movable performance stage may be used. Forexample, ring-shaped performance stage 110 may be designed tocontrollably rotate around the outside of theater area 106 or standstill. This movement may be uniform in speed or changeable. For example,stage 110 may either continuously move throughout the performance orstop periodically so that portions of stage 110 are directly in front ofparticular audience sections. The motion of the stage can besynchronized with the projected visuals so as to cause the audience tofeel that it is they who are moving. The stage can also speed up or slowdown, depending on need. In other embodiments, a performance stage maybe designed to move vertically or into/away from the audience area, suchas the front two thirds of the stage extending into the audience wherethe back third remains motionless.

The speed and pattern at which a performance stage moves may be chosenbased on various factors. For instance, the speed and direction may besynchronized with visual content projected behind the stage, or thetypical speed and pattern may be dictated by industry standards, laborstandards, technical considerations, and/or theater dimensions.Additionally, performance-specific movements may be chosen in accordancewith, for example, audience preference, preference of performers,director choices, and/or audience arrangement. As an example of anaudience-arrangement-based decision, when portions of the theatercontain no audience, the movement pattern may be selected to avoid theseportions.

IV. Display Screens

All configurations of display screen (some of which follow) may be fedimages via array processing for video delivery, this being a singleimage that is made up of an array of visual components that areprocessed in a matrix fashion for presentation over a pre-calculatedgeometric screen, with compensation for curvature of viewing and lightreflectivity.

In addition, every system described herein includes 3-dimensionalcontrol of visual elements to be delivered in multiple locationssimultaneously. That is, the delivery of visual elements for livepresentations may be actively controlled relative to their position tothe audience and the performer.

FIG. 1 shows three example categories of screens that an exemplary venuemay include: opaque or semi opaque front screen (torus-shaped interiorstructure 104), LED lined back screen (Ellipsoidal screen 102), andsecondary screens (robotic or other screens 114A and 114B). Differentembodiments may include other types, layers, and numbers of screens. Forexample, some embodiments may include only a front theater screen but nosecondary screens. As another example, multiple robotic screens may alsobe used throughout the single theater area, and come together as oneimage via a “raid”.

FIG. 1 shows a torus-shaped interior structure 104 as an example of atheater screen. Since torus-shaped interior structure 104 wraps aroundthe audience in a way that immerses the viewers in a contiguous displaysurface, this type of screen may be considered an Immersive DisplayScreen (IDS). In other implementations, the IDS could be various othershapes, including spherical, hemispherical, rectangular, cubic, pyramidshaped, conical, prismatic, and cylindrical, among others. This screencould also be comprised of multiple layers, such as perforated aluminumintended to both reflect a front projected moving image, and to allowlight to pass through from an LED wall behind it which exhibitsdifferent visual content (a “Compositing Screen”). Additionally oralternatively, some embodiments may use non-immersive theater displayscreens. Although torus-shaped interior structure 104 is shown as asingle continuous screen with no gaps, example screens may includemultiple screen pieces arranged to function as a single display screen.In some arrangements, the IDS may include non-screen areas within thescreen surface, while still being considered a single screen, meaningsome of the IDS may display content where other areas of the screen maynot. For example, torus-shaped interior structure 104 may havesupporting structures rather than active display areas behind it, as asecondary screen 114A, and still be considered substantially continuous.

The torus-shaped interior structure 104 may present or display imagesand video in a number of different ways and explorations. For example,one or more projection devices may project images onto, or from,torus-shaped interior structure 104. Such projectors may be placedinside the theater area 106 to project images onto the inside oftorus-shaped interior structure 104 (i.e. front projection). FIGS. 2 and3 show examples of projector arrangements for front projection systems.LED lined screen ideas or implementations. In other embodiments,projectors may be placed around the outside of the theater area toilluminate visible internal portions of the screen by projecting imagesonto the backside of the screen (i.e., rear projection). FIGS. 4 and 5show examples of projector arrangements for rear projection systems. Inother embodiments, projectors may be placed behind the torus-shapedinterior structure 104, projecting images through but themselves,remaining hidden from the audience. A variety of external projectorarrangements, similar to those illustrated in FIGS. 2 thru 5 withrespect to internal projectors, may also be used.

Various embodiments of the IDS may include: i) front projection upon anopaque screen (perforated aluminum, foam, fabric, etc.); ii) rearprojection upon a transparent screen; iii) LEDs covering an opaquesupport; iv) a composited image comprised of LEDs viewed through asemi-opaque screen (perforated aluminum, projection film backed ETFE,etc.) which reflects a front projected image.

FIG. 2 shows an example projector arrangement 200 for an internalprojection implementation. An internal projector arrangement may involvea great many projectors spread around the theater are 106 and/or behindit (e.g. inside a crow's nest, such as 212). In particular, arrangement200 includes projector 204, projecting on a portion (labeled with arc208) of screen 202, projector 206, projecting on another portion(labeled with arc 210) of screen 202, and projector 214 (which can beplaced either in front of or behind the stage), projecting on a thirdportion (labeled with arc 216) of screen 202. In some cases, themultiple projectors may project onto different areas of the screen. Inother cases, like arrangement 200, the projection areas may overlap orprojectors may be stacked on one another. In still other cases, multipleprojectors may illuminate substantially the same areas of the screen toincrease brightness, luminosity and image resolution.

FIG. 3 shows a second projector arrangement 300 for internal projection.In arrangement 300, a single projector, 304 projects onto screen 302 ina way that substantially covers the screen (labeled with arc 306).

FIG. 4 shows an example rear-projector arrangement 400. In arrangement400, a multidirectional (in some cases stacked) projector 404 is mountedthe center of toroidal screen 402, projecting across the central sectionof the screen (labeled with arc 406). Additionally as shown, projectors(such as projectors 408 and 410) may also be placed around the outsideof toroidal screen 402 to illuminate the outside portions of screen 402(labeled with arcs 412 and 414). Projectors 408 and 410 are exemplary,however, and outside projectors need not be limited to two projectorsmounted on opposite areas of toroidal screen 402. Other projectors maybe mounted in a variety of areas, inside or outside of the theater area,and various projectors could project on the same vertical slice oftoroidal screen 402 to maintain a high level of quality.

FIG. 5 shows an external projector arrangement 500 that includes nineprojectors 504A-504J arranged along the internal side of exteriorenclosure 506. Each projector displays across a part of screen 502,including several overlapping areas. In some similar arrangements,projectors (or stacked/parallel sets of projectors) that may beconfigured to display onto individual areas of the screen, withoutoverlapping.

In any projection system, light-guiding elements may be employed todirect projected light onto one or more display screens or surfaces. Forexample, an example screen may direct light from projectors to displayscreens using optical elements such as waveguides, reflective surfaces,lenses, optical fibers, electro-optical deflectors, acousto-opticaldeflectors and/or beam-splitters, among other elements and devices. As aparticular implementation, laser light from one central source may bedivided up to shine or reflect on individual portions of the backside ofa theater screen.

In addition to light-projection systems, various other visual displaydevices may produce images on torus-shaped interior structure 104. Forexample, multiple light sources may be embedded into, in front of,and/or behind the screen to form a multiple image display. Any ofvarious light source types may be used in such an arrangement. Forinstance, light emitting diodes (LEDs), other electroluminescentcomponents, incandescent light sources, gas discharge sources, lasers,electron emission sources, and/or quantum dot sources may be used torealize the display, among other examples. In particular, low pixelpitch LED arrays may be embedded over the screen surface of a theaterscreen, so that no projection systems would be necessary, or wouldprovide additional imagery to the projection. In another implementation,torus-shaped interior structure 104 may be optically responsive toelectron bombardment (e.g., a fluorescent screen). Then, a cathode-raysource may activate portions of the screen to produce images.

In some implementations, a display screen may be configured to providemultiple images at once. FIG. 6 shows an expanded view of an examplesuch screen that includes and LED back screen 602 behind aprojection-based front screen 606. For example, the front screen may bea material (such as perforated aluminum, or front projection film backedETFE) or structure that is semipermeable to light emanating from behindit, but also sufficiently reflective of light projected onto its frontby a laser projector, allowing such a projector to superimpose an imageover the LED back screen. In this way, a 3D three-dimensional image or a“composite” and/or parallax image may be produced by the physicalseparation between both projected images. Variables such as the opacitypercentage of front projection film adheased to ETFE; or void percentageor a perforated aluminum screen and its reflectivity percentage, color;the luminosity of the LED wall, distance between the LED wall andsemi-opaque screen, and distance and luminosity of the front projectorsmay be adjusted to optimize viewing. In FIG. 6, light rays representingthe back image are shown as straight dotted lines (e.g., line 604) whilelight rays representing the front image are shown by reflecting dottedlines (e.g., line 608). As one example implementation, the distancebetween the front and back screens may be correlated to the depth of theperformance stage in the theater, so that displayed images of performerson the stage may convey the distance between the performers and thebackground. As another example, the distance between the front and backscreens may be uniform to maintain the same level of brightness andluminosity and 3D or parallax effect throughout the structure. Incertain cases, the background behind the performers may be displayed asthe back image, while images of the performers may be displayed as thefront image simultaneously or at separate times. Examples ofsemipermeable screen structures are a perforated aluminum screen (with asufficiently high void percentage, and sufficiently high reflectivecoating) vinyl, Teflon, plastic or other, and/or clear ETFE backed withpartially transparent front or rear projection film, and with a clearlayer of sound absorbent film affixed to its front.

FIG. 7 shows an expanded view of an example two-image screen system 700that may be utilized in a projection display system. The screen systemincludes a non-continuous front, partially perforated screen 702 infront of a continuous, equidistant rear screen 704 creating ourcomposite images to the audience. As shown, some of the light (shown aspath 706) that is projected onto screen system 700 impinges on frontscreen 702, resulting in a front image, while the light that passesthrough open sections (for example, 708A and 708B) of front screen 702impinges on back screen 704, producing a back image and a 3D parallaxeffect for the audience in both standing 108A and seating 108B areas. Insome embodiments, front screen 702 may be transmissive to certain lighttypes, rather than having physical gaps or a percentage of perforationin the screen. For example, front screen 702 may be opaque tos-polarized light and transparent to p-polarized light. By projectinglight that is a superposition of s-polarized and p-polarized light, thefront and back images may then form from the s-polarized and p-polarizedlight, respectively. In an implementation that uses openings in screen702, the size and spacing of the openings in the front screen may bechosen such that the front and back images are both visible to viewers.Other combinations are also possible.

The torus-shaped interior structure 104 may also present 3D images. Forexample, a 3D-glasses or non-glasses auto-stereoscopic display (ASD)system may be used to polarize or colorize images to create 3D imagesvia left and right visual responses or visual color cone responses toreplicate 3D visualization with or without the use of glasses. Asanother example, the torus-shaped interior structure 104 may include alenticular array, parallax barrier, holographic, or otherautostereoscopic 3D system so that viewers can view 3D images withoutpolarizing or colorizing the images.

Other examples of display systems for both the front and rear screensmay include: Front or rear projection, LEDs, laser projection, ASD(autostereoscopic) LEDs, ASD front projection, holography, 3D “ghosting”or full 3D effect (e.g. Pepper's Ghost or Steinmeyer illusion).

In addition to the torus-shaped interior structure 104, secondarydisplay screens such as 114A and 114B may also be included in an exampletheater area. In some embodiments, secondary screens may be smaller thantheater screens and may be provided in front of the theater screen(s).Some secondary screens may be stationary. Other secondary screens mayturn and move around a fixed support structure. Some of the secondaryscreens may be attached to 5 to 7 joint robotic arms. For example, asupporting arm for the secondary screens may include 180 degree to 360degree pivoting features, allowing the screen some full motion. Somesecondary screens may also be able to change position around the theaterarea, either freely across the entire theater area or in designatedareas. Other secondary screens may be housed in quadrants or slices ofthe theater, for example, to come together in “raids” or function asseparate screens. The support system of the secondary screens may attachto a sliding track that facilitates movement of one or more screensacross the face of the theater wall or theater screen. The supportsystem may or may not be mounted to the base of the movable performancestage 110. To produce such movements, servos and motors may also beincluded in the screen support or in the track system.

In some cases, the secondary screens may be controllable by automated orcomputerized control systems. For example, a screen may be supported onthe end of a robotic arm so that the screen direction and position maybe controlled as the arm is controlled. As another example, a secondaryscreen may be mounted on an automated conveyor so that the screen ismovable along the length of the conveyor. A display that is movablethrough control circuitry and/or processors may be considered a roboticscreen or a computer-driven screen.

Instead of, or in addition to, the secondary screens, a theater mayinclude holographic, Steinmeyer illusion, and/or pepper's ghostapparatuses as a means of “image propagation” by which a live performerwho is performing on a portion of the stage which is not presently infront of a given audience segment, may be seen virtually by thataudience segment via holographic cannons or other 3D generatingtechnology or devices.

Instead of, or in addition to, the secondary screens, and/orholographic, Steinmeyer illusion, and/or pepper's ghost apparatuses, atheater may include tertiary screens located in the audience area 108B,on the backside of the seat headrest (or directly above the headrest ateye level, in front of an audience member viewing it).

System Design and Implementation

To facilitate using the entertainment venue, a variety of supportingsystems may also be included. Some supporting systems are describedherein with regard to features that are not used in a typical movie orlive-theater setting while others are not specifically mentioned by nameor described herein. Other systems and structures may also support theentertainment venue; but those may be obvious to persons of skill in theart. In some embodiments, processing of both audio and video feedsand/or equipment may be run under the stage or audience. In otherembodiments, support equipment may run on the outside of thetorus-shaped interior structure 104 or in the nest area 116 shown inFIG. 1.

I. Video Processing

In order to display an image internally onto the torus-shaped interiorstructure 104 and externally onto a dome screen 102, various specializedpieces of equipment and/or processing techniques may be helpful orrequired. For example, to display images that were originally intendedfor flat surfaces, may require a new image capture process, and/or a newway of processing after capture for the images to display on a toroidalscreen, an ellipsoidal screen, and in a 360° or continuous format. Imagecapture processes may include filming the reflection off a mirroredtorus shape, or images may be captured by specially ground lenses, 3Dlenses, fish eyed, or 360° lenses, such that there is no visualdistortion when exhibited on a torus, or ellipsoid shaped screens, withno breaks or gaps in the continuous image, and/or non-repeating imagesto break the flow of the image. In an example embodiment, a toroidalscreen may be used to display images with a horizontal field of view(FOV) of 360° and a vertical FOV above 200°. In some embodiments, adisplay may present individual videos or images over a smaller portionof the screen, avoiding the need for capturing large FOV images. Inother embodiments, several image capture devices (e.g., cameras, videocameras, photodiodes, etc.) may each capture a portion of the full FOVimage. Then, the images captured by each device may be combined into afull FOV image/video. Additionally or alternatively, lenses, fibers,waveguides, and reflectors may be used to direct the light that definesa full FOV image into an image capture device. For example, a curvedlens can refract light towards the image-capturing device. As anotherexample, a curved reflector may reflect light towards the image-capturemechanism. As still another example, an array of optical fibers may beused to guide the light into the image-capturing device.

In order to present images on a curved surface, like torus-shapedinterior structure 104, the images may be processed to map flat-surfacecoordinates to curved-surface coordinates so that the images do notappear stretched or distorted. As one implementation, the image may berepresented by a set of points in a particular coordinate system. Thecoordinate system employed may depend on the system used to capture theimage. For example, if a set of cameras each captures a flat-surfacerepresentation of the view in one direction, the image points may fitmost naturally into a Cartesian coordinate system. To fit such an imageinto the coordinate system, each image is associated with a capturedirection and is assigned a certain apparent depth in the viewingdirection. In an array of image-capture devices, the capture directionof one device may be implied from the orientation of that device withrespect to the other devices. When a curved or other shaped lens isused, the image direction may be determined from geometric light-raycalculations on the lens shape. Once the three-dimensional imagecoordinates have been determined, a three-dimensional grid of pointsrepresenting the image-projection surface (e.g., a toroid, etc.) ismapped to the image coordinates to determine the relationship betweeneach capture-image point and each display-image point. For example, if adisplay-image point falls directly on a capture-image point, then thecolor associated with that capture-image point becomes the color of thecorresponding display-image point. If a display-image point fallsbetween four capture-image points, the color of the display-image pointmay be an average of the colors associated with the capture-imagepoints. Once the relationship between each display-image point and thecorresponding capture-image point(s) is determined, the system may usethe relationships to quickly produce a display image defined by thedisplay-image points, rather than mapping each new set of images to theprojection surface. Other techniques are possible.

To display video that is captured at the venue (e.g., video of liveperformers during the live performance), the quick processing techniquesmay ensure that the videos are processed fast enough to present theimages in real time in 2D and/or 3D imagery. Additionally, in order tocapture images at the venue, cameras may be placed in specific areasaround the theater, inside and out. In some cases, multiple cameras maybe attached to rotating supports that move in sync with the movingperformance stage to maintain a video feed from the performers.

Some systems may require additional processing for display. For example,the projection system shown in FIG. 5 may require the display-image tobe broken into two, three, or four segments representing the images forprojections 508 and 510. The image for projection 510 may also needmapping or projection mapping to the reflective surface or surfaces,including image inversion and other processing.

II. Audio Systems

Each of the embodiments of visual exhibition system (IDS) describedabove in 0033 has an acoustical counterpart to accompany it: i) in thecase of the front projection upon an opaque screen (perforated aluminum,foam, fabric, etc.), both speakers a sound absorptive material (such asfiberglass) could be placed behind a perforated aluminum screen which ismostly transparent to sound. The speakers would propagate the audiowhile the fiberglass would deaden the otherwise acoustically live space,and control reflected sound. If foam or fabric was the medium used forthe screen, that medium itself would deaden reflected vibrations byabsorbing the same, while the foam or fabric could be made thinnerdirectly in front of the speaker drivers, allowing the primary intendedaudio to pass freely through and out to the audience; ii) in the case ofrear projection upon a transparent screen, that screen could have sounda clear sound absorptive film adheased to the front of it, which wouldcontrol secondary audio reflections, while speakers could be placed inthe house and directed towards the audience; iii) in the case of LEDscovering an opaque support, transparent LED panels could be used whichprovide a lot of space between LED, allowing the sound to pass through,and as with the perforated aluminum option above, speakers andfiberglass could be placed behind the panels; iv) in the case of acomposited image comprised of LEDs viewed through a semi-opaque screenwhich reflects a front projected image, that semi opaque screen could bemade of perforated aluminum, which is mostly transparent to audio,allowing sound to pass through it in either direction. The LED “backscreen” behind it, would then have the acoustical/audio system describedabove in (iii), with speakers and fiberglass behind transparent LEDpanels.

Additional acoustical management solutions may include positioningspeakers upstage and angling them up and away from the audience, intothe torus shape, turning the torus itself into an audio propagationdevice (a giant speaker cabinet).

The systems above could work in conjunction with an in-seat audiosystem, described in patent app “360 Squared Sound”.

Audio systems may be provided in an exemplary theater area. Audio inputdevices may be provided to support sounds associated with liveperformances. For example, musical acts may use input devices to capturevoice and instrument sounds. As another example, stage acts may usemicrophones to capture on-stage voices and sound effects. Audio outputdevices may output these captured sounds and other audio associated withlive performances or video displays. And audio may also be transmittedwirelessly to in ear monitors or the stage performers, and from wirelessmicrophones and direct inputs form the instruments and voices on theinstruments and people on the rotating stage, to receivers by the mixingconsole.

In another embodiment, there could be a contiguous circle of speakerwedges in front of the rotating stage, angled up to the onstageperformers. As opposed to the “monitor mix” engineer mixing for theindividual wedge, he could mix for the individual performer, and acomputer which tracks the performers position (by RFID, visualrecognition, etc.) could automatically pan the audio to his position onthe stage.

Audio output devices, such as speakers, may be provided in any ofvarious locations inside or outside of the theater area, and speakersmay be existing or new technologies, or a mix of both for this specificvenue. For example, speakers may be provided on or around the stagearea, around the secondary display screens, and/or under and around theaudience area. Moreover, in some cases, individual speaker systems maybe provided within the audience seating area (e.g., chair-mountedspeakers). In some embodiments, speakers may be provided behind orwithin the theater screen.

The implementation and orientation of the speakers and audio system mayvary based on various factors. For example, the implementation maychange based on the usage of a one screen or a two screen system. Asanother example, the implementation may change based on whether anin-front and/or a behind-the-screen implementation is used. Suchvariations may follow in accordance with particular audio requirementsand in such a fashion as to deaden reflected secondary sound waves,which may otherwise result from the theater or screen design and screenelements.

Audio may be comprised of several speaker based solutions including apre-existing conventional speaker option (interspersed vertically andhorizontally throughout the venue), and/or newer developed solutions toprovide optimal 360° sound, which does not create reverberation and/orreflective waves which would disrupt and affect the audio clarity of theaudience. Any and all of our audio systems can be augmented and/ormodified, supplemented or added to by several in-seat audio solutions,which may or may not be binaural (accomplished without headphones bydrivers set into the headrest providing isolated distinct sound to eachear).

In order to provide a stable, coherent image on the theater screens, andoptimal audio quality, several solutions for sound dampening elementsmay cover up and/or protect parts of the screen that are moresusceptible to audio acoustic vibrations, reflections, or reverberation.

In a front-projection-only example, or a one-screen IDS solution, suchas the system shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, speakers may be placed behind thefront projection surface, or screen, by using a “foam” screen. Such afoam screen may deaden reflected secondary sound waves. As anotherexample, a screen material that is practically transparent to sound(like perforated aluminum) may have both speakers and sound deadeningmaterial placed behind it, thereby preventing the sound system fromimpairing the audience's view of the screen).

In a composite or two-screen solution (e.g., the “Compositing Screen”),such as the system shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, where both a front projectionscreen surface (such as a perforated surface) and a back LED screensurface are used, both speakers and a sound absorptive material such asfiberglass may be placed behind the back LED surface. In anotherimplementation, LEDs may cover the speaker grills to create a seamlessvisual experience with sound deadening properties.

In another audio solution (utilized in conjunction with a “CompositingScreen” two screen system, or a one screen front projected and/or LEDlined system), an active noise cancelation system may be employed. Inthis example, a transparent Mylar, plastic, or other material wouldcover all or part of the inside facing surface of the front screen, andwould be wired to act as speakers and microphones. In such animplementation, small sections, interspersed across the screen area, maybe wired to act as microphones. Additionally, other adjacent sectionsmay be interspersed adjacent to the microphone areas and may be wired toact as speakers. The speakers may cancel sound detected by themicrophones by, for example, producing an out-of-phase acoustic wave ofthe sound detected by the adjacent microphone section. Further,additional sections of the covering may be wired to act as speakers thatwould transmit audio intended to be heard by the audience (i.e., music,dialogue, sound effects, etc.). In this way, the torus itself (as astructure) acts as both a speaker system and an acoustical deadeningsolution.

In another embodiment, soundproofing and speakers may be placed behindthe LED surface with speaker grills covered in LEDs. Spaces between theLEDs may make the LED panels at least partially transparent to audio,allowing the speakers to present audio to the audience through the ledscreen.

As another example, a vacuum established between the front screen and aprotective back screen “shield” may prevent sound waves from propagatingto the front screen and exposing reflective audio waves to the audience.

In still another example, the screen may be made “transparent” to soundvia gaps in the screen through which sound waves flow without disturbingthe screen and without creating reflections. Aside from the gaps,sound-absorbing material or active cancelation systems may cover theback of the screen. In this way, the screen shield may deaden the soundwhile also allowing sound to pass through the gaps in the surface.

In another embodiment, a fabric that we project upon can also be totallytransparent to sound, and can be backed by a totally sound absorbentmaterial (e.g., fiberglass) except where speakers are placed. Tofacilitate such an implementation, the speakers may be grouped behind avery small percentage of the overall screen surface area.

III. Stage Supports

To support movement of a performance stage, moving stage supports may beprovided beneath the stage. Mechanical supports may include, forinstance, conveyors, rollers, conveyor belts, sliding elements, wheels,rollers, motors, gears, tracks, elevators, hydraulic systems, and maglevsupports. The supports may be controllable by, for instance, manualcontrols, computer applications, remote controls, and/or stored controlroutines. For example, stored pre-created routines may include themovement patterns to use throughout a performance. In such animplementation, the stored routines may be executed at the start, middleor end of the performance to cause the stage to begin an intendedmovement pattern or spontaneous patterns throughout.

To the extent it may be necessary to get electricity to any devices onthe rotating stage, a metal strip affixed to the bottom of the rotatingportion of the stage may contact a fixed metal connector to supplyelectrical current to the rotating stage. Any brush, braid, carbonslip-plate, or other electrical contact may be used in such a system.Additionally, non-contact electrical transfer techniques (e.g.,capacitive, inductive, active magnetic energy transfer) may also beutilized.

Other control mechanisms may also facilitate performance stage movement.In practice, safety controls may provide resources for slowing orstopping the motion of the stage in response to receiving alarmindications from sensors. For example, an audio or visual alarm mayindicate that a performer or “setpiece” is off, or partially off, thestage. In response to detecting that something is moving or has movedon/off the stage, the controls may slow or stop the movement. In somecases, the controls may slow or stop the movement before a performer orprop goes over the edge of the stage. In particular, a controller maydetect the distance between the object and the edge and slow stagemovement in proportion to the detected distance. Likewise, sensors maydetect the distance between the edge of the moving stage andobjects/people on the stationary areas around the stage, to help preventinjuries.

To further prevent injuries, there may also be a protective raise thatbecomes active in response to determining that a performer is too closeto the edge of the moving stage (or too close to an area of the stagethat is not moving at the rate of the performer). This raise may followthe stage extensions if the stage moves forward and backward, as opposedto side-to-side. Furthermore, the movement controller may slow the stagein preparation for a stage entrance, exit, or collision. Such movementchanges may also be determined by the proximity of the performer to thestage edge. As another example, an alarm may indicate that a microphoneor speaker has moved to a position that is likely to cause audiofeedback. As still another example, an alarm may indicate that a stageprop is blocking an emergency exit from the stage or safety equipment.In response to detecting that something or someone on the stage is notin a safe location, the movement controller may ensure that the stagemoves to an orientation where the misplaced person or thing is betterpositioned.

In addition to safety sensors, sensing devices may also be used as stagecues to allow control systems to automatically detect when movementpatterns should change, rather than relying on operators. For example, aperformer who wishes to leave the stage during a performance and returnto the stage later in the performance, may desire that the stage remainsstationary until the performer returns. In this case, some of themovement of the stage may be pre-programmed and also controlled by acontroller who may pre-program the stage to, first, stop stage movementin response to detecting the performer's egress and, second, resumestage movement in response to detecting the performer's return. Asanother example, the detected position of a particular prop orinstrument may be used as an indication of how the stage should move. Asstill another example, a performer's on-stage movement may affect thestage movement. For instance, to facilitate a play that includes a scenein which a performer walks between two other scenes, a stage-controlprogram may detect or receive indications of the performers walkingspeed and the time at which they begin walking. In response, the stagemay move to keep the performer in an active area of the stage, whilethey are walking.

Safety and other sensors may include various detection devices andprocessing components. For example, proximity sensors may indicate theposition of a performer or setpiece on the stage and/or indicate that aperformer has moved off the moving performance stage. Proximity sensorsmay also detect any person or thing that is extending over the edge ofthe stage. As another example, pressure sensors in the stage floor mayindicate whether a performer is on or off the stage. Feedback sensingcircuits or devices may indicate whether a speaker or microphone is in abad acoustic location. Various other sensors may be used in an exemplaryembodiment.

As mentioned earlier, some stages may include moving and non-movingportions. For example, the inside ⅔rds of the stage (the portion of thestage that is closest to the audience) may rotate around the audiencewhile the outside ⅓rd of the stage remains stationary. In someimplementations, the outside portion may not be movable at all. In otherimplementations, the outside may be separately movable from the insideportion. Other example stage support systems may involve variousindependently movable and/or non-movable portions to support complexstage-movement patterns.

Also mentioned earlier, the described systems and techniques for stagemovement may be used alternatively for audience movement. In such animplementation, the movement of the audience with respect to astationary (or independently moving) stage may be controlled in thevarious ways that are described above with respect to stage movement.

Venue Uses

FIG. 8 shows an overhead view of an example toroidal theater encasedwithin an ellipsoidal structure 800, including a toroidal screen 802, acircular stage area 804, an external enclosure 808, and an audiencearea. The audience area contains a standing room area 806 directly infront of circular stage 804, and eight GA and VIP seating sections,labeled 8A-8H. Other embodiments may divide areas in other ways and mayinclude additional seating, aisles, handicapped seating and othernon-seating areas. Dotted line 810 divides stage area 806 roughly inhalf. In some embodiments, the two halves (or ⅓rd and the other ⅔rds ofstage 806 may move (or not move) independently of each other.

In some cases, a single theater area may be used simultaneously formultiple functions. In particular, some seating sections (such assections 8A and 8D of FIG. 8) see substantially different portions ofscreen 802 and stage 804. Therefore, a different event could take placein each side of theater 800 without significantly detracting from eitherevent. In some cases, temporary barriers may be erected or moved betweenthe theater sections to separate the sections, both visually andacoustically. Temporary barriers or separations may include variousfeatures, such as soundproofing components (e.g., fiberglass sheets)and/or more or less display screens depending on the needs of thetheater. The separation of a theater into two equal-sized sections isonly exemplary; a theater may be divided into any number and size ofsections for independent use.

I. Using a Rotating Performance Stage

As described above with respect to the design of stage supports, themovement of a performance stage may be controlled in a variety of ways.In addition to controlling the movement and positioning of a stage, thearrangement of performers, audience, and display systems may alsorequire specialized techniques. For example, performers need not beplaced directly together on the stage because different sections of thestage may be visible to different sections of the audience at any giventime. As another example, the distribution of the audience may influencehow the stage movement progresses. As yet another example, the motion ofthe stage may be synchronized with the projected moving images tocompliment them and create a more convincing perception of motion, suchthat the audience feels that it is they (and not the projected images orstage) that are moving.

In some cases, performers may be spaced evenly around the stage. Forexample, FIG. 9 shows an example arrangement 900 of four musicians(shown as stars, including star 906) of a band that is performing oncircular stage 804 within toroidal screen 802. As shown, each of themembers may be positioned at equal distances from one another to producea square formation with each musician defining a vertex of the square.Any number of stage performers or features may be spaced evenly around arotating stage or at random points. As the stage 804 rotates, differentsections of the audience are able to see different performers. Such anarrangement minimizes the amount of time that a viewer cannot see anyperformer. Performers not directly in view can be seen via the variousexhibition systems and surfaces, until they rotate into view, and whilethat portion of the audience watches another performer in person.

Also shown in FIG. 9, clusters of secondary screens (e.g., clusters 908,910, and 912) are included. Such secondary screens may rotate with theperformers on the stage, so that the same set of screens arebehind/beside the same performer throughout a performance or the screensmay rotate or move in a pre-programmed pattern. In one embodiment, thesecondary screens may be clustered together. In another embodiment, thesecondary screens may not form clusters. Screens around or behind aperformer may display images of the other performers on the othersections of the stage, so that an image of each performer is displayedin each group of screens. In other arrangements, the performer that isin front of a screen cluster may not be included in the images, so thatall the performers are seen on any of the sides of the stage, but one ofthe performers is seen live at any time and the other performers aredisplayed on secondary screens (i.e., an image of performer 906 wouldappear on a screen from each of clusters 908, 910, and 912, but not onthe screens behind star 906). In some cases, other display media (e.g.,holographic, Pepper's Ghost, or Steinmeyer illusion displays) mayprovide the “images” of the other band members. In this way, lifelikevirtual band members may perform alongside one another and one real bandmember in four places around the stage, giving the impression that thefull band is in front of four different audiences.

Although FIG. 9 shows four groupings of four secondary screens each, anynumber of clusters, containing any number of screens may be used. Forexample, four clusters of three screens may be used, or three clustersof six screens. In some cases, the position of the screens may bechangeable. In this way, clusters of screens may be changed to groupdifferent numbers of screens in different ways, or the screens may beunclustered and spread out across the stage area.

Some performances that are not suitable to spacing apart performers(e.g., some plays and musicals, musical groups in which proximity isimportant, dialogs between performers, etc.), may take advantage of theunique stage shape by spacing scenes around the stage. In particular, ifa play (or an act of a play) has four main scenes, then the setpiecesand props for each scene may be placed at each of star locations. Amongother advantages, this arrangement would allow a stage crew to set upall of the scenes before the performance, rather than changing setsduring scene changes. Additionally, the narrative presented in amultiple-scene performance may be easier to understand when differentscenes occupy different physical locations on the stage.

In some embodiments, the movement of the stage may be determined fromthe position of the audience. For example, an operator may inputcomputer code that indicates that only sections 8A and 8B of the theaterare occupied. In response, the system may implement a movement patternthat only presents a view of the live performers to sections 8A and 8B.In some cases, a portion of stage 804 may be visible to all of theaudience members, without needing the stage to move at all. In thatcase, the stage movement may be used to assist in the movement ofprops/sets rather than moving performers. For example, prior toperformance of a play, a crew may organize the set, props, and stagemarkers for each scene in the play in a different section of the movingstage. During the play, the crew can simply turn the stage until theright set is in the active portion of the stage rather than constructingand deconstructing each set during scene changes.

II. Combining Live and Recorded Entertainment

As described above, some theater areas may include live performancestages and live and/or pre-produced visual displays. For some events,the display screens or the performance stages may be used on their own.For example, movies may be shown on the theater screens without usingany stages. Likewise, performance stages may be used for live actswithout using the display screens. Other entertainment events maycombine live performance and displayed images/video.

In some combined events, the screen images may include live video orimages of the performers on the performance stage. For example, thescreens may present images of the stage performers that are not visibleto a section of the audience. In particular, while a performer islocated at star 906 in FIG. 9, the system may determine that theperformer is not visible to viewers in sections 8A-8F and, in responseto the determination, the system may display video of the performer onportions of screen 802 that are visible to sections 8A-8F. Then, whenthe performer moves into view to the audience in sections 8A-8F, thesystem may detect this movement and responsively change the video ofthis performer to a video of a performer who is no longer visible insections 8A-8F. In other arrangements, videos displayed on screen 802may rotate in accordance with the movements of the stage. In this way,videos of each performer are presented to the audience while theperformer is not in view. In still other arrangements, the system or alive director may select which videos to show based on criteria otherthan the movement of performers. For example, screen 802 may presentvideos of each performer at all times, regardless of the position of theperformer. As another example, the system may switch between video feedsin accordance with preset timings or on-stage cues (e.g., detect guitarsolo from a sound signal and responsively switch to video of guitarist.)This live performance footage can also be intercut in real time withprerecorded purpose-shot content (i.e., live and pre-produced content isshown simultaneously and/or separately at various intervals throughoutthe performance).

In some embodiments, action on the stage may affect or add to thedisplayed images. For example, images that are presented as a backgroundfor certain scenes in a performance may change when the scene of theperformance changes. In other embodiments, on-stage actions may notdirectly affect or add to the displayed images. For example, screen 802may present a background image or video simply as a backdrop for stageperformers. As another example, the live performance may be designed tocoincide with displayed images, but the images may be controlledindependently of the on-stage action. One example of a designedcoordination between live performance and video displays is alive-scored movie presentation, in which live performers provide themusical accompaniment to a movie presentation.

As yet another example, projected moving images can be combined withlive action on stage to meld live performers with a virtual setting(i.e., certain movements (say, a fight sequence) can be choreographed.Camera moves can also be choreographed to capture performers rehearsingthat sequence. The scene can then be filmed with the choreographedcamera moves, but without the actors in frame. When the film isexhibited, live performers can then recreate the same choreography liveon stage, and it should create the net effect of the live actor actuallybeing present in the virtual environment.

CONCLUSION

The construction and arrangement of the elements of the video and audiosystems and methods as shown in the exemplary embodiments areillustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the presentdisclosure have been described in detail, those skilled in the art whoreview this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modificationsor alterations are possible over the course of each construction (e.g.,variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions ofthe various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, useof materials, colors, orientations, etc.) especially when components arebuilt to specifications, without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example,elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements, with slight or major modifications but not modifications inoverall principals or strategies. The elements and assemblies may beconstructed from any of a wide variety of materials that providesufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors,textures, and combinations. Additionally, in the subject description,the word “exemplary” is used to mean serving as an example, instance orillustration. Any embodiment or design described herein as “exemplary”is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous overother embodiments or designs. Rather, use of the word exemplary isintended to present concepts in a concrete manner. Accordingly, all suchmodifications are intended to be included within the scope of thepresent disclosure. The order or sequence of any process or method stepsmay be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Anymeans-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures describedherein as performing the recited function and not only structuralequivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions,modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the overall design,operating conditions, and arrangement of the preferred and otherexemplary embodiments without departing from the actual scope (orbaseline ideas, thoughts, principals, etc.) of the present disclosure orfrom the scope of the appended claims.

Although the figures show a specific order of method steps, the order ofthe steps may differ from what is depicted, especially in theconstruction process of the various elements within. Also, two or moresteps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Suchvariation will depend on the software and hardware systems chosen and ondesigner choice. All such variations are within the scope of thedisclosure. Likewise, software implementations could be accomplishedwith standard programming techniques with rule based logic and otherlogic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps,comparison steps and decision steps.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A venue comprising: a display screen,wherein the display screen is fixed; an audience seating area surroundedby the display screen, wherein the display screen is shaped such that afirst portion of the display screen is positioned in front of theaudience seating area and a second portion of the display screen ispositioned behind the audience seating area; a first performance stage;and a second performance stage; wherein the first performance stageentirely encircles the audience seating area; and wherein the audienceseating area entirely encircles the second performance stage.
 2. A venuecomprising: a display screen, wherein the display screen is fixed; anaudience seating area surrounded by the display screen, wherein thedisplay screen is shaped such that an inner portion of the displayscreen is positioned in front of the audience seating area and an outerportion of the display screen is positioned behind the audience seatingarea; and a performance stage; wherein the audience seating areaencircles the performance stage; wherein the performance stage extendsalong a periphery of the inner portion of the display screen and whereinseats of the audience seating area face toward the performance stage. 3.A venue comprising: a display screen, wherein the display screen isfixed; an audience seating area surrounded by the display screen,wherein the display screen is shaped such that an outer portion of thedisplay screen is positioned in front of the audience seating area andan inner portion of the display screen is positioned behind the audienceseating area; and a performance stage; wherein the performance stageencircles the audience seating area; wherein the performance stageextends along a periphery of the outer portion of the display screen;and wherein seats of the audience seating area face toward theperformance stage.
 4. A venue comprising: an exterior structure havingan exterior surface that provides or supports a first display; aninterior structure positioned inside of the exterior structure with openspace positioned between the exterior structure and the interiorstructure, the interior structure including an interior surface thatprovides or supports a second display, the interior structure defining atheater area; a stage positioned in the theater area; an audienceseating area positioned in the theater area and facing the stage, theaudience seating area having a plurality of levels of seating; and amezzanine area positioned inside the exterior structure, outside of thetheater area, and at least partially beneath the audience seating area;wherein the first display extends along a majority of the exteriorsurface; and wherein the second display is an immersive display thatextends along the interior surface such that the second display ispositioned in front of, to the sides, above, and behind at least aportion of the audience seating area.
 5. The venue of claim 4, whereinthe exterior structure forms a dome around the interior structure, andwherein the dome has an ellipsoidal shape, a spherical shape, ahemispherical shape, a cubic shape, a rectangular prism shape, a pyramidshape, a conical shape, a cylindrical shape, a prismatic shape, or atoroidal shape.
 6. The venue of claim 4, wherein interior surface isshaped such that the immersive display has an ellipsoidal shape, aspherical shape, a hemispherical shape, a cubic shape, a rectangularprism shape, a pyramid shape, a conical shape, a cylindrical shape, aprismatic shape, or a toroidal shape.
 7. The venue of claim 4, whereinthe exterior structure and the interior structure both have a sphericaldome-like shape.
 8. The venue of claim 4, wherein the audience seatingarea is arranged in a curved orientation and at least partiallyencircles the stage.
 9. The venue of claim 4, further comprising aplurality of first display elements at least one of (i) embedded withinthe exterior structure, (ii) attached directly to and along the exteriorsurface, (iii) positioned internal to the exterior structure between theinterior structure and the exterior structure, or (iv) positionedexternal to and not physically attached to the exterior surface, whereinthe plurality of first display elements facilitate providing the firstdisplay.
 10. The venue of claim 9, wherein the plurality of firstdisplay elements are embedded within the exterior structure.
 11. Thevenue of claim 9, wherein the plurality of first display elements areattached directly to and along the exterior surface.
 12. The venue ofclaim 9, wherein the plurality of first display elements are positionedinternal to the exterior structure between the interior structure andthe exterior structure.
 13. The venue of claim 9, wherein the pluralityof first display elements are positioned external to and not physicallyattached to the exterior surface.
 14. The venue of claim 4, furthercomprising a plurality of second display elements coupled to theinterior surface, wherein the plurality of second display elementsfacilitate providing the second display, and wherein the plurality ofsecond display elements comprise light-emitting diodes.
 15. The venue ofclaim 4, further comprising a plurality of second display elementspositioned to facilitate providing the second display, wherein theplurality of second display elements comprise projectors at least one of(i) positioned within the theater area or (ii) positioned external tothe interior structure between the interior structure and the exteriorstructure.